"To some slight extent only," corrected Dr. Spenlove, with a faint smile.
"Sufficient," proceeded Mr. Gordon, "for my purpose. You are not blind to the perils which lie before weak and helpless women--before, we will say, a woman who has no friends, who is living where she is not known, who is in a position of grave danger, who is entirely without means, and who, at the best, is unable by the work of her hands to support herself."
Dr. Spenlove looked sharply at his visitor. "You have such a woman in your mind, Mr. Gordon?"
"I have such a woman in my mind, Dr. Spenlove."
There was but one who answered to this description whose future seemed so dark and hopeless. For the first time during this interview he began to be interested in his visitor. He motioned him to proceed.
"We are speaking in confidence, Dr. Spenlove."
"Whether my errand here is successful or not, I ask that nothing that passes between us shall ever be divulged to a third person."
"I will mention the name of the woman to whom I have referred, or, at least, the name by which she is known to you. Mrs. Turner."
"None. I am prepared to befriend her, to save her, if my conditions are accepted."
Dr. Spenlove drew a deep breath of relief. He would go to his new field of labors with a light heart if this unhappy woman was saved.
"You have come at a critical moment," he said, "and you have accurately described the position in which she is placed. But how can my mediation or the mediation of any man be necessary in such a case? She will hail you as her savior, and the savior of her babe. Hasten to her immediately, dear sir; or perhaps you do not know where she lives, and wish me to take you to her. I am ready; do not let us lose a moment, for every moment deepens her misery."
He did not observe the frown which passed into Mr. Gordon's face at his mention of the child; he was so eager that his hat was already on his head and his hand on the handle of the door. Mr. Gordon did not rise from his chair.
"You are in too great a hurry, Dr. Spenlove. Be seated, and listen to what I have to say. You ask how your mediation can avail. I answer, in the event of her refusal to accept the conditions upon which I am ready to marry her."